Varicella followed by glomerulonephritis. Treatment with corticosteroids and azathioprine resulting in recurrence of varicella.

The present report outlines the clinical features of a 2-year-old boy who following varicella developed purpura of the lower extremities, transient gastrointestinal bleeding and glomerulonephritis. The triad of symptoms suggests Schonlein-Henoch Syndrome, but coagulation studies and renal biopsy did not confirm this, and varicella is thought to be the cause of the complications. Therapy with corticosteroids and azathioprine had only a minor effect on the nephritis but caused depression of serum IgG and specific antibody resulting in reinfection or reactivation of varicella.